The rising costs of maintaining real estate are increasingly burdening household budgets, and waste disposal fees are becoming particularly severe. Contrary to popular belief, not only seniors can benefit from discounts. There are several groups that are entitled to exemption from garbage fees.
See also: No more garbage bags? Polish local government is introducing revolutionary changes
As Biznesinfo.pl reminds, in Poland the obligation to pay for municipal waste management applies to every owner or user of real estate. Even older people, often living alone and modestly, must pay these debts unless they meet certain conditions.
The text continues below the video
A number of groups are exempt from the statutory obligation to pay waste fees, in part or in whole. Importantly, the rules for granting relief are not uniform throughout the country. In practice, it is local governments that determine who can count on exemptions or reductions in fees, and these decisions depend on the resolutions and financial capabilities of the municipalities.
These people do not have to pay for garbage collection. Not only seniors
As explained by Biznesinfo.pl, it may happen that the rules may differ significantly even in neighboring towns. Before making a decision, it is worth checking the resolutions in force in your commune or contacting the appropriate office.
See also: Poland sends record amounts of garbage into the world. That's where they end up [MAPA]
Waste fee exemptions are not granted automatically. It is necessary to submit an appropriate application and document your situation. It is worth applying for them because – as officials emphasize – the funds are available to those who meet the requirements.
According to Biznesinfo.pl, the following people can most often benefit from a reduction or exemption from garbage fees:
- people with low incomes — many local governments rely on income thresholds specified in the Social Assistance Act,
- people with disabilitiesespecially those with a significant degree or chronically ill, who incur higher living costs,
- large families — holders of the Large Family Card can count on partial exemptions, for example in Katowice they are entitled to a twenty percent discount,
- home owners composting bio-waste — in accordance with the regulations, each commune must provide relief for owners of single-family properties who have declared and actually compost bio-waste in a home composter; it is a mandatory environmental relief that encourages green activities.
Relief or exemption from garbage fees. Here's how to pay less (or nothing) for garbage collection
Discounts and discounts allow for real savings, but it is also possible to be completely exempt from fees. An example would be a situation where no one lives in a given property and no waste is generated. Then the fee should not be charged.
Importantly, this applies not only to seniors who have gone to a sanatorium or a nursing home for a longer period of time, but also to all people who temporarily leave their place of residence.
See also: Purple revolution. New waste collection system from January
How to get relief or complete exemption from garbage collection fees? The Biznesinfo.pl website suggests that you should take two steps:
- submit a declaration to the commune office on the absence of people living in the property, indicating the specific period of absence,
- present documents confirming the lack of permanent residence, for example a certificate from a care facility or an airline ticket in the case of a longer trip abroad.
In the face of rising waste disposal fees and the wide range of options for local governments to act, it is worth thoroughly familiarizing yourself with local resolutions.
